An Ottawa heritage advocacy group wants the entire country to tell Ottawa city council that the new proposed design for the Château Laurier’s addition simply isn’t good enough.

Heritage Ottawa put out a “call to action” Tuesday asking all Canadians to tell Ottawa city councillors to reject the proposed design for the expansion of the hotel.

“We can do better. The architects can do better and that’s what we want to see,” said the group’s co-chair Leslie Maitland.

The developer behind the project submitted new designs last month for the addition, which will allow for 171 more rooms. In contrast to the existing stone building, the proposed addition is made up largely of steel and glass.

Maitland said the addition can be modern in design, but should blend in better to the hotel and other important buildings nearby.

“What we are looking for is a building that complements the context, that complements the national historic site and makes us all proud.”

She said the hotel should absolutely expand, but in a way that respects the heritage property.

“There has been no objection to their putting an addition on, we are all for that. We just want it to be a better addition.”

About the Council

The Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa | le Conseil des organismes du patrimoine d’Ottawa is an umbrella organization serving cultural heritage organizations in the greater Ottawa area. The Council plays a leading role in developing and sustaining Ottawa’s heritage sector and ensuring local residents have access to heritage. To achieve its objectives, the Council works closely with museums, archives, historical and genealogical societies, cultural communities, heritage buildings and sites as well as a range of heritage scholars, supporters and advocates. The Council also acts as an important liaison with all three levels of government.